THE CENTER FOR CREATIVE ECONOMY ANNOUNCES 10 FINALISTS IN THE CREATIVE BUSINESS ACCELERATOR

Winston Salem, NC, August 22, 2018 – The Center for Creative Economy, Winston-Salem, NC, has announced the 10 finalists that will participate in the world-class Creative Startups Southeast Accelerator program for creative entrepreneurs to develop business models, go-to-market strategies and identify funding. Participants complete an intensive 8-week educational program; and the top three startups split a pool of $50,000 in seed stage investment.

More than 40 companies globally applied to participate in this year’s program. “Every year, our goal is to help these companies thoroughly understand the key factors that can impact success or failure,” said Margaret Collins, executive director of The Center for Creative Economy. “We are proud of the fact that all past participants are still in business and have earned more than $654,000 in revenues to date and raised $503,000 in post-accelerator funding.”

ArtPop Street Gallery from Charlotte promotes the work of local artists and makes art accessible to communities through available media space.

Connecting humans with events and experiences through compelling immersive content that can be accessed anywhere online, Beaumonde joins Creative Startups from Raleigh, NC.

Drikybot from Bordeaux, France, is an entertainment company that promotes brands by creating a unique and futuristic experience with customers involving dancing robots.

EarlyGroove from Winston-Salem, NC, connects people to events, information, and opportunities that promote personal, social, and cultural well-being. Their mission is to inspire and strengthen communities through creativity, innovation, and connection.

Informed by more than a decade of experience, EduMotion from Chicago, IL, is launching “SEL Journeys,” a digital learning platform that empowers educators nationally to integrate social emotional learning and movement into their school day.

Joyfire, Winston-Salem, NC, is an artful home decor brand with a social conscience. Their sustainable textile products and evocative designs fuel joyful living and worthy causes.

These 10 teams participate in online courses throughSeptember 14 using entrepreneurship curriculum that is customized for creative enterprises. During a five-day “Deep Dive” from September 23-28 in Winston-Salem, teams work with visionary mentors, investors and creative leaders. The “Deep Dive” includes DEMO NIGHT on September 25 from 5:30 to 8PM at Biotech Place in the Wake Forest Innovation Quarter where teams showcase their innovations to funding prospects, businesses and the media. Tickets to Demo Night are free. The week ends with a Final Pitch competition where the top three startups split a pool of $50,000 in seed stage investment.